Flue-stop



UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

RODNEY C. SKINNER, OF FOREST, ILLINOIS.

FLUE-STOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 564,031, dated July 14, 1896. Application filed September 23, 1895. Serial No. 668,339. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RODNEY C. SKINNER, of the city of Forest, Livingstoncounty, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in FlueStops, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improved fluestop; and it consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a chimney-wallhaving my improved flue-stop located therein. Fig. 2 is a rear elevationof the flue-stop. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one of a pair ofsprings of which I make use in carrying out my invention.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates thechimney-wall, in which is located the usual stovepipe-opening that isincased by the usual thimble 2.

3 indicates a circular face-plate somewhat larger in diameter than isthe pipe-opening, and said face-plate maybe beaded and ornamented asdesired. Arranged upon the rear side of the face-plate 3 is acylindrical collar 4, slightly smaller in diameter than is the thimble2, and formed in that edge of the collar 4 that rests upon the rear faceof the plate 3 is a pair of oppositely-arranged rectangular notches 5.Fixed to the rear face of the plate 3 by means of rivets or othersuitable fastening devices, and at points diametrically opposite oneanother, are the bases of springs 6, the same being constructed of flatstrips of resilient material, preferably steel. Said springs 6 extendoutwardly toward the edge of the plate 3, through the rectangularnotches 5,and from thence are bent rearwardly toward the outer edge ofthe collar 4, as indicated by the numeral 7, and from thence are bentinwardly around said outer edge of the collar, as indicated by 8. Theportions 7 of the springs 6 do not lie directly against the outside faceof the collar 4: when in nor mal position, and there is a slight spacebetween the inwardly-bent ends and the outer ends of said portions 7.Thus said springs are allowed slight movement relative the collar 4:.

When aflue-stop constructed in accordance with my invention is locatedin the thimble, the portions 7 of the springs 6 engage and bear againstthe inner face of the thimble 2 and retain the entire device in a verysecure and substantial manner. When the portions 7 engage against thethimble 2, the bent portions 8 will necessarily spring or move inwardlyand toward one another. The rectangular notches 5 are necessarily largeenough to allow free action and movement of that portion of the springsthat passes through them. The function of the ring or collar is to limitthe lateral movement of the springs 6.

The flue-stops may be constructed in various sizes to fit thedifierent-sized pipe-openings, and, if desired, the number of springs 6may be increased above the number shown and described.

A flue-stop constructed in accordance with my invention is simple,inexpensive, composed of a minimum number of parts, and therefore willnot easily get out of order, and, owing to the expansive action, of thesprings 6 against the thimble, said stop is very effectually held in thedesired position.

I claim- 1. An improved flue-stop,co1nprisin g a faceplate, a collarprovided with rectangular notches in one edge, thesame arranged upon therear face of the face-plate, and expansive leaf-springs, the bases ofwhich are riveted to the face-plate and extending from thence outwardlythrough the rectangular notches and having their opposite ends hookedaround the outer edge of the collar.

2. In a flue-stop, an expansive spring, composed of a strip of fiatsteel comprising the base portion 7 bent approximately at right anglesto said base, and a hook 8 formed at the end of the portion 7.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RODNEY'O. SKINNER. Witnesses:

J. W. DoNovAN, E. A. PAULEY.

